Fins Running Game Struggles Mightily In Game 1
DAVIE (CBSMiami) – Miami Dolphins fans are still celebrating after Sunday's victory over the Cleveland Browns. But while the Dolphins got the victory, one area stuck out as potentially a major problem, the running game.
The Dolphins finished the game with 23 carries for just 20 yards, or roughly 0.9 yards per carry. It was even worse for the team's starting running back Lamar Miller. He finished the game with 10 carries for three yards or roughly 0.3 yards per carry against a weak Browns defense.
Dolphins backup running back Daniel Thomas carried the ball eight times for 14 yards and a touchdown, and he was the best runner on the field for the team on Sunday.
The Dolphins called four rushes behind left tackle Jonathan Martin and lost six yards on those rushes. The Fins ran behind left guard Richie Incognito six times for 16 yards. The Fins didn't try to rush behind center Mike Pouncey. Behind right guard John Jerry, the Fins ran nine times for 13 yards and one touchdown. Finally, the Dolphins ran behind right tackle Tyson Clabo one time for minus two yards.
The running game was ugly to say the least on Sunday and was bailed out by quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The Dolphins quarterback finished the game 24-38 for 272 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Taking the sacks yardage away from Tannehill's total gave the Dolphins a net passing total of 255 yards and a total net yardage of 275 yards for the game.
So is the Dolphins running game as bad as it seemed in Game 1? It depends on if you think the Browns are that good, the Dolphins offensive line is that bad, or if it was simply Game 1 jitters that will be worked out through the season.
